The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-07-08

| meet him.
The girl had long ago decided that
she could love Julius Keith with her
whole heart, and for all time, only be
seemed so sadly lacking in the one su-
preme attribute which must distln
guish theman whom she would choose
to wed.
NJulius Keith were only a little more
benevoIcntly inclined, if he only show
ed disposition to sympathze with
! the sorrowlng, to Tighten the burdens
Of the oppressed, and brighten the
gloom of the destitute, he would have
fulfilled her ideal OF all which seemed
to her noble and manly.
But he had never yet manifested
that indispensable quality OF her per
feet ideal.
Unfortunate people often caused
their own misfOrtunes; it was in many
instances the bad management OF the
poor which made their poverty; the
existing condition of things might pos
sibly be bettered; but how, was a
problem ne was not wise enough to
solve" Mr. Keith would say when the
topic was mentioned.
And it was a topic too, he never
seemed eager to discuss, and one which
he often ended abruptly or by a jest.
Perhaps he was not unfeeling; perhaps
he was not consciously irreverent in
the lest. But all the same Elizabeth
sighed and was troubled over what
seemed such a grievOus defect OF heart
and mind.
She would never trust her love in
the keeping of a man who had neither
pity nor aid for them who had fallen
behind in the race of life; that she had
firmly resolved.
II thought you would like a sleigh
ride" he said, as he held the white
hand which she had extended toward
him in greeting. "The afternoon is
unusually fine, and besides, l have q
little project l should like to suggest
for your consideration"
"a phantom dance, or race on
snow-shoes, or something in the to-
boggan line?" said he, looking inter
ested-too intensely and demurely so,
for sincerely, if he could have inter
preted it Alright.
"Well, you can have any OF those if
you like" he answered, lightly.
But he had dropped the soft white
hand, and Elizabeth wondered at
some vague change in his look and
manner, which she could not define.
81 must deny myself of any and Of
all, even the sleighing for today" she
replied, with a regret that was unmls-
takably sincere.
81 hope not the sleigh-ride," he re-
turned, in surprise. "a party OF our
friends are to meet us at De Nalo's.
A band is going out; we are to have
supper and a little dancing; and then
the jaunt home by moonlight. We
had co'-nted on having you with US,
Elizabeth"
She took a mental view OF the tempt
ing prospeet-the glorious sunlight'
and moonlight with the dazzling sky
above and the dazzling snow beneath;
OF the brilliant boulevard, with its
splendor and merriment of noddIng
plumes and tingling bells; of the band,
of the dancing and the banqueting.
The view was alluring, certainly.
But then, the contents of that big
hamper were to be distributed. There
were her poor, her sick, her sorrow
| ing-each one waiting for her words OF
counsel and comfort, for her more
convincing tokens OF charitable intent
in the way of bread or medicine.
And then, there was distressed
family only few hours before
brought to her notice-the mother dy-
ing, the father temporary disabled by
some almost fatal accident, and the
only child, girl, young and fair like
herself-praying Heaven for the tri-
| fling help which would keep their home
unbroken in their season of trial.
ALI this passed before Elizabeth
mental vision in brief moment, as
she stood listening to Mr.. Keith's
concluding utterance.
/ And in that brief moment her de-
cision was made. The prospect was
| tempting, and the gay party had quite
| counted on her being with them, very
1 likely, but the afternoon was sacred
| to the unfortunate ones whose grieving
| eyes would gladden. at her coming
whose depths OF misery would seem
but the deeper if she would fail them.
81 am aWfully sorry" she said at
length in careless words, which belied
| her serious thoughts. II should have
enjoyed the sleighing immensely. Ill
could have had a little previous inti-
| nation OF the pleasure, Icould have
availed myself Of the compliment and
| ioined our friends, Of course. AS it is,
/ unluckily have precluding engage
ment"
with your dressmaker7" Mr..
Keith observed snlilingIy, in q voice
which somehow was unlike his own.
"With Madam Sanrobe? Oh, she is
an artistic, and one OF the most exact
ing, " said Elizabeth, catching her cue